Electronic Arts today announced they have acquired Digital Illusions CE (D.I.C.E.). D.I.C.E. for 175.5 million Swedish Kronas or ~$24 million US dollars.
D.I.C.E. is best known for their extremely popular Battlefield series, a game which has been released on both the Xbox and Xbox 360 with many other different versions on Games for Windows.
D.I.C.E. is a Swedish development studio who had their Battlefield series published by E.A. but now will become a full E.A. owned and operated studio totally dedicated to growing the Battlefield series on consoles and Games for Windows as well as developing some new IPs for these and upcoming gaming platforms.
The acquisition of D.I.C.E. is effective immediately. Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studio's said " "EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise. The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."
Patrick Soderlund, D.I.C.E. CEO will become an EA Studio General Manager. He will maintain his responsibility for the D.I.C.E. studio as well as take on additional responsibilities. Patrick Soderlund said, ""Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans. We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."
The acquisition completed as a merger in which EA purchased the assets and liabilities of D.I.C.E. Any share holders of D.I.C.E. stock will receive $67.50 in Swedish Kronas which is ~$9.23 US in cash to be paid out on Oct 16's 2006.
At the moment there is no word on how this will impact current titles in the works in terms of delays. Currently the known titles D.I.C.E. was working on were Battlefield 2142 for Games for Windows and Battlefield : Bad Company for Xbox360.
D.I.C.E. is a Swedish development studio who had their Battlefield series published by E.A. but now will become a full E.A. owned and operated studio totally dedicated to growing the Battlefield series on consoles and Games for Windows as well as developing some new IPs for these and upcoming gaming platforms.
The acquisition of D.I.C.E. is effective immediately. Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studio's said " "EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise. The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."
Patrick Soderlund, D.I.C.E. CEO will become an EA Studio General Manager. He will maintain his responsibility for the D.I.C.E. studio as well as take on additional responsibilities. Patrick Soderlund said, ""Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans. We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."
The acquisition completed as a merger in which EA purchased the assets and liabilities of D.I.C.E. Any share holders of D.I.C.E. stock will receive $67.50 in Swedish Kronas which is ~$9.23 US in cash to be paid out on Oct 16's 2006.
At the moment there is no word on how this will impact current titles in the works in terms of delays. Currently the known titles D.I.C.E. was working on were Battlefield 2142 for Games for Windows and Battlefield : Bad Company for Xbox360.
